What does GRE Stand for?

According to AbbreviationFinder, GRE stands for Graduate Record Examination. It is a standardized test that aims to measure verbal and quantitative reasoning ability, as well as analytical thinking and writing skills. The GRE General exam, assesses these skills in general topics and not in specific areas of knowledge. Commonly, this exam is a fundamental requirement to apply for admission to graduate programs at the world’s leading universities, especially those that are English-speaking.

It is generally requested for any Master or PHD, and now MBA. The registration page for the official exam is gre.org.

The GRE is an exam recognized worldwide by institutions with graduate programs. The complete list of institutions that request and accept the GRE can be found on the website: https://www.ets.org/gre/revised_general/about.

Score required by business schools

  • Quantitative Reasoning (Quantitative Reasoning): 130-170 points
  • Verbal Reasoning (Verbal Reasoning ): 0 to 6 points

The average score for this exam is 150.75 in the Verbal Reasoning section, 151.91 in the Quantitative Reasoning section, and 3.61 in the Analytical Writing section.

The preliminary results of the areas of Quantitative Reasoning and Verbal Reasoning can be consulted at the end of the exam, on the application site. The official results, including the Analytical Writing area, will be available online 10-15 days later.

It is important to bear in mind that, when registering for the test, you can request that the results be sent to four educational institutions.

Once the test is done, it is valid for 5 years.

Get ready to enter the best Masters and Doctorates in the world.

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GRE Exam Sections

GRE Exam Sections

Analytical Writing (2 tasks): 30 minutes per task
Verbal Reasoning: 30 minutes
Quantitative Reasoning: 35 minutes
Unscored¹: Varies
Research²: Varies
Estimated Total Time: 3 hours and 45 minutes

How many types of GRE exam are there?

There are two variants of this exam, depending on the application format. The first, GRE Computer-Based, in digital format and the second, GRE Paper – Based in printed format. In our country, GRE Computer-Based is available; however, in countries where there are not enough resources, the only option is GRE Paper-Based.

Additionally, there is the GRE Subject version, applied in printed format and focused on the following specific areas: Biochemistry, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Biology, Chemistry, English Literature, Mathematics, Physics and Psychology.

The Graduate Record Examination is a standard test used as an admission requirement for various types of graduate programs in the United States, in other international universities, and in general, by various business schools. Its objective is to measure verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning and analytical writing; which serves as a predictor of academic success. In Colombia, it can be taken in Bogotá and Cali.

More about GRE Exam

The test consists of 6 sections and allows you to take a 10-minute break after the third. This is its structure:

Sections Questions Weather
Writing 1: analysis of a topic one 30 minutes
Writing 2: analysis of an argument one 30 minutes
Verbal reasoning 1 twenty 30 minutes
Quantitative reasoning 1 twenty 30 minutes
Verbal reasoning 2 twenty 30 minutes
Quantitative reasoning 2 twenty 30 minutes

The results of the quantitative and verbal sections are given on a scale that ranges between 130 and 170, with increments of 1. The result of the written part ranges between 0 and 6, with increments of ½. Additionally, the results are also presented in percentiles that rank them comparatively, on a scale of 1 to 99, with those who took the test during a period of 3 years.

To present this test it is important to take several months of preparation. These free resources will help you get ready:

1 – ETS GRE PowerPrep: This free software, once installed on your computer, allows you to take mock-ups of the test. ManhattanPrep(link is external) it also offers the ability to take a free drill.

2ETS – Prepare for the GRE General Test: on the test page it offers instructions, tips and examples of verbal reasoning(link is external), quantitative reasoning(link is external)and analytical writing(link is external). You can also download the Math Review book(link is external)and mathematical conventions(link is external).

3GRE Essay Topic Pool: subject lists for the thematic essay(link is external)and the argument essay(link is external).

4YouTube Channels of Kaplan, Magoosh(link is external)and Mometrix(link is external): classes, tips and general preparation of the test.

5 – Khan Academy Instructional Videos(link is external): video lists to prepare quantitative reasoning.